In German, strudel means “whirlpool” – it is a light, crispy pastry made up of layers of filo dough. In our translation, cranberries add a bit of tang, but raisins work equally well.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
POINTS® Value: 2

This moist cake gets even better when served with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

You can melt chocolate in a double boiler or in a microwave. If using a double boiler, be sure the water in the bottom pan does not touch the base of the top pan and that it never boils. Any moisture, including steam, that comes in contact with the chocolate could cause it to seize into a lumpy mass. (To save seized chocolate, whisk in vegetable oil or solid vegetable shortening, 1 tsp. at a time, until smooth.) If microwaving the chocolate, check it every 30 seconds to avoid scorching. When the chocolate is shiny and soft, remove it and stir until smooth.

The origin of the madeleine, the shell-shaped sponge cake eaten as a cookie, is disputed, although most food scholars believe it originated in the Lorraine city of Commercy. It traveled first to the court of Louis XV at Versailles and then on to Paris, gaining converts at each stop. Today, the pâtissiers of Commercy are still considered Frances premier makers of madeleines, and boxes of madeleines de Commercy are sold throughout the country. You will need a madeleine pan, made of tinned steel and with a dozen molds, to bake these little cakes.

Filled with fresh ricotta cheese and topped with a variety of berries, these crepes are perfect for a weekend brunch.

Good recipe for this

CALORIES 184(29% from fat); FAT 6g (sat 3.1g,mono 0.6g,poly 0.3g); PROTEIN 3.6g; CHOLESTEROL 36mg; CALCIUM 60mg; SODIUM 90mg; FIBER 3.1g; IRON 0.5mg; CARBOHYDRATE 30.5g

These bites come together quickly, thanks to packaged mini phyllo shells. The filling doesn’t need to be cooked.

CALORIES 49(37% from fat); FAT 2g (sat 0.6g,mono 0.8g,poly 0.3g); PROTEIN 1.3g; CHOLESTEROL 3mg; CALCIUM 21mg; SODIUM 65mg; FIBER 0.7g; IRON 0.3mg; CARBOHYDRATE 6.7g